JAMAICANS HAVE RIGHTS TOO

Thursday, July 14, 2011, Kingston, Jamaica – Commissioner Ellington in his attempt to clarify his position in relation to the “Persons of Interest” issue, appears to have missed the point being made by those who oppose the blatant double standard being applied by the JCF in their investigation of the recent murder of Khajeel Mais. Jamaicans For Justice is NOT calling for the name of the suspect to be released prematurely, rather we are demanding that the SAME standards be applied to ALL persons.

It would appear from his statements that Mr. Ellington believes that the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty gives foreign nationals being investigated in Jamaicamuch more legal protection than Jamaican Citizens have by right under our constitution. We respectfully suggest to the Commissioner that each of the points raised in his defence of JCF behavior in the investigation of this matter (that is that the JCF must prepare a case file and obtain a warrant for the suspect’s arrest and ensure the necessary due diligence is done and in a timely manner in order to facilitate the suspects arrest) are equally applicable to every Jamaican who is suspected of having committed a crime. In fact JFJ reminds the Commissioner that each and every Jamaican remains innocent until proven guilty, a fundamental Right guaranteed by our Constitution.

Rather than defaming Jamaican citizens and violating their Constitutional rights, by releasing their names as “Persons of Interest” the JCF must devise and immediately implement a policy that ensures the protection of ALL the rights of ALL Jamaican citizens as assiduously as it has protected those of the ‘citizen of a foreign country’ in this matter.